Summary
Nothing lifts your mood quite like a vigorous afternoon jog! And how better to improve your cardiovascular fitness than to have a heart-pumping music accompany every step you take? Whether you like to blast music or podcasts while running in the park or on the treadmill, you’ll need a reliable pair of headphones or earbuds that can keep up with your workout schedule.
Top earphones and headphones 2024
A few essential elements are going to be present in the greatest running headphones and earbuds. One has a strong IP certification, letting you know that the device can withstand a wet day or perspiring head. Strong far-field microphones are also essential as they can effectively filter out background noise while still generating amazing sound quality. Purchasing a long-lasting battery also doesn’t harm.
We have gathered this selection of in-ear and over-ear running accessories that are ideal for your next 100-meter sprint, regardless of your preferences and requirements.
All runners should have headphones and earphones.
The Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds have a fantastic appearance that will fit in with most runners’ aesthetic preferences and a sweet spot for clear, strong sound. Punchy bass and well-balanced mids and highs combine to create an exciting sound environment that is ideal for exercise. On the other hand, active noise cancellation (ANC) of any kind is not available here. Four different ear tip versions are available to accommodate a range of ear sizes, and bendy ear hooks aid in creating a secure fit. Up to nine hours of battery life is claimed, which is comparable to its stablemate, the Apple AirPods, which don’t have a form factor designed for intense activity.
The Powerbeats have been seen to have superior sound quality than even the AirPods Pro, in addition to having a longer battery life than the AirPods. Call controls and tactile playback round out the Powerbeats Pro’s most beneficial features for those who are always on the go. Though not a huge disadvantage, a few little features—like autoplay and the ability to listen on a single earbud—will not function on Android devices. Furthermore, the charging case extends combined playback to around 24 hours, despite its potential size.
QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds by Bose
Some of the greatest audio equipment money can buy are Bose headphones and earbuds. The brand-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which are intended to replace the old QuietComfort II buds, were just introduced by the firm, and we believe they’re amazing! You may wonder why they’re so good for running, however. It’s a little function known as Aware Mode.
You may enjoy your favorite songs and yet hear essential noises like sirens and street traffic when this option is activated. The outside world is filtered in. The other two listening modes are Bose’s Immersive Audio Mode and Quiet Mode. The QC Ultra Earbuds have good water resistance (IPX4) and a long battery life (up to 6 hours on a single charge), but the most impressive feature is the Aware Mode.
Go Air Sport JLab
Running is the intended use for the JLab Go Air Sport wireless earphones. The strain of a jog eliminates the possibility that a flexible ear hook may come out and throw off your time. Moreover, its silicone structure is lightweight, flexible, and cozy for extended exercise sessions. The battery life, which is around 32 hours, is designed to withstand many extended usage during periods of high activity.
In addition, the headphones have touch controls for managing tracks and music, taking calls, and triggering a phone’s smart assistant. so that there aren’t many disruptions during your important training time. Calls are clear and simple to start or terminate thanks to the integrated microphone and sophisticated EQ sound settings, and any pump-up jam will sound fantastic while jogging because to the deep bass. For less money, the JLab Go Air Sport headphones are a fantastic choice. There are a few drawbacks, however. This is not ideal when sweat is inevitable because the IP55 waterproof rating is lower than that of many other earbuds and exercise headphones, making them more susceptible to water damage. Additionally, these headphones lack active noise cancellation, so ambient noises can still be heard. While some people would find the absence of ANC to be a deal-breaker, outdoor runners who must be aware of their surroundings may find it to be a desired feature. Overall, the JLab Go Air Sport are still an excellent set of running headphones with amazing features that are affordable, even with a few mediocre specs.
Sport Sennheiser
The Sport True Wireless earbuds have an attractive blacked-out style and a gold Sennheiser logo, making them seem stylish overall. They may not be the most stylish earbuds available, but they do come with many ear tip sets and fins to assist ensure a snug, comfortable fit during active use. Their inability to convert between sealed and ambient sound modes without practically replacing the ear tips is one of their drawbacks. Although it’s not very practical, if you’re the set-and-forget kind of person, then it’s understandable.
The Sennheiser Sport True Wireless earbuds’ rich, immersive sound with a decent but restrained bass response is what you’ll truly desire. Sennheiser’s Smart Control software offers a number of convenient sound customization options that let you adjust the EQ and other parameters.
The Sport True Wireless earbuds are firmly dust- and water-resistant thanks to their IP54 classification. Put another way, although they are made to resist sweaty exercises, they shouldn’t be submerged in water or used for swimming. All things considered, those who value quality sound and are active should give the Sport True Wireless earbuds a serious look. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, as we said in our review, provide rich, pleasing sound and an excellent ANC system for isolating outside noise. You get an expansive, comprehensive soundscape and plenty of powerful, but detailed, bass with the Buds 2 Pro. Although the fit may not be as secure for certain runners as clip-style buds, these buds are elegant and should provide a good enough fit for most runners. It truly boils down to personal taste whether you think ear clips are preferable for workout or like this earbud style.
Because the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro feature the Samsung Seamless codec with 24-bit audio and allow easy switching between devices linked to the same Samsung account, they make an exceptionally natural connection with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. It’s a bit of a pity that you’ll have to manually switch your Bluetooth connection with non-Samsung devices.
While the ANC offers a respectable 5 hours of battery life, the case extends it to 18 hours. Therefore, even if they may not be the best option for every runner, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are still worth a serious consideration in the premium category due to their excellent sound, strong noise cancellation, and better fit.
JBL Reflect Aero
JBL has always dominated the audio gadget industry, and the Reflect Aero earbuds are a worthy addition to the lineup. The buds are a strong and stunning alternative that have qualities that runners want. To begin with, they are dust-resistant and waterproof up to 13 feet under water thanks to their IP68 waterproof classification. Thus, it won’t be a problem to sweat it out. You’ll want a decent fit since perspiration is an issue, and these earbuds come with three ear tips to provide a snug and comfortable fit.
While the Reflect Aeros are excellent at canceling out noise, runners may find it vital to consider the surroundings. The buds’ Smart Ambient function, which lets you modify the music to accommodate ambient disturbances, aims to meet this demand. When using headphones for outdoor exercise or even for work, this function is very helpful. The headphones are excellent for clear calls since they include six built-in microphones and VoiceAware technology. Battery life is a major concern when it comes to headphones, especially for serious athletes, and the Reflect Aeros have the endurance to keep up with even the best runners with 8 to 16 hours of battery life off of the built-in fast charge. And while these headphones can be bass-heavy, there are customizable options built in to perfect the sound. All you need to know is that some people may find it difficult to get earbuds to fit properly and securely, even if they come with multiple ear cushions.
Peak 3 of JBL Endurance
The Endurance Peak 3 are excellent for running since they have a superb ear hook design for people who need it. In order to suit different ear sizes, they also have three sets of earpieces, and the ear hooks are flexible.
The mid-and high-range sound quality is generally crisp and precise. The bass could be a little too boomy for certain people, but you can adjust that in the app if you don’t like it. The earbuds contain an ambient mode that let outside sounds in, which is intended to facilitate talks. Additionally, you may listen for an additional 40 hours from the case in addition to 10 hours each charge.
It may take some getting accustomed to controlling the buds using the touch sensors on the housing, and the auto-off feature is a bit of a pain since it kicks in everytime you pull the earphones out, even for a little period of time. It’s also important to note that the Endurance Peak 3’s components are quite large and lack ANC. But when it comes to jogging, the Endurance Peak 3 shines because it offers a snug and comfortable fit, a robust construction, a long battery life, and just enough bass to keep you going.
Wireless Bluetooth headphones, Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100
Because of their weight, size, and style, on-ear headphones may be difficult to choose for exercise; however, Plantronics’ Backbeat Fit 6100 headset allayed many of the concerns associated with jogging with headphones. The 6100 is a comfy, Bluetooth noise-cancelling headset that offers excellent sound quality. Although the ear cups are sound-proof, you may activate Awareness Mode to let outside noises in and guarantee a secure outside run.
In addition to being noise-cancelling, the Backbeat Fit has fantastic, deep sound—something that may be difficult to find in training headgear. The Backbeat delivers a clear and powerful music experience throughout any exercise thanks to its 40 mm speakers and sound-proof ear cups. The Backbeat comes with a flexible fitness headband that enables the headset to be breathable and adjustable for optimal comfort, unlike conventional on-ear headsets that may be stiff and even irritating to run with. The Backbeat has an IPX5 waterproof certification, making it sweatproof and weatherproof, albeit not as weatherproof as some of the other devices on the list.
This model’s battery life, which can run for up to 24 hours when completely charged, is one of its main advantages. This is by far one of the most durable headsets on our list, offering an excellent substitute for earbuds without sacrificing sound quality. Just keep in mind that, although this on-ear headset weighs little more than half a pound, it is heavier than the majority of the other types mentioned. This is a fantastic substitute for in-ear headphones or earbuds for running, except from the weight difference.
OpenRun Pro Headphones by Shokz
Since they don’t fit in the ear, bone conduction headphones are commonly criticized for their poor audio quality; nevertheless, the Shokz OpenRun Pro sound better than others, with a strong bass response. Having saying that, the mid-range response could seem a little excessive to certain people. If you would want to adjust the sound a little bit, the Shokz app provides some simple adjustments.
For runners, particularly those who neglect to plug in after workouts, battery life is crucial. Here, the OpenRun Pro headphones deliver with a full charge lasting 10 hours and a quick 5-minute charge lasting around 1.5 hours. They include a casing that functions well but isn’t meant for charging; you’ll need to connect them to an additional power source.
Comparing the OnePlus Buds 3 with Buds Pro 2: The details matter
